Drug-Resistant Brain Metastases: A Role for Pharmacology, Tumor Evolution, and Too-Late Therapy

Cancer Discov. 2015 Nov;5(11):1124-6. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-15-1166.

Abstract

Two recent studies report deep molecular profiling of matched brain metastases and primary tumors. In both studies, somatic alterations in the brain metastases were frequently discordant with those in the primary tumor, suggesting divergent evolution at metastatic sites and raising questions about the use of biomarkers in patients in clinical trials with targeted therapies.

Publication types

  • News

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents